Violent protests: Disgruntled protesters burn down fire station in Gugulethu

A fire station in the township of Gugulethu, Cape Town, has been torched by violent protesters...another one bites the dust.

CAPE TOWN - Scene of a violent protest. Residents of Gugulethu torched the fire station in the area (Photo by: City of Cape Town)

The situation in Gugulethu was of a volatile nature on Thursday morning. Police gathered to manage a situation that turned ugly when protesters burned down the township’s fire station.

Where is Gugulethu?

Gugulethu is a historic township located at the eastern periphery of Cape Town. Known to many outsiders as the Cape Flats, Gugulethu became synonymous with the group of anti-apartheid activists who were known as the Gugulethu Seven.

A tactical unit, mandated by the apartheid government, isolated the seven students who mobilized against oppression with the ANC at the time and killed them.

All of that happened and a new dawn shone in Gugs. The ANC has been in power for decades now and residents of the township have yet to receive the promises made to them back then.

What is happening in Gugulethu?

On Thursday morning, traffic was disrupted in the area, affecting Duinefontein Road and Emmes Drive. Metro police and SAPS officials were called to a volatile scene by staff members of the fire station.

Theo Layne, who works at the fire station, said that it was a normal day and everything seemed to be as it should until they heard a loud bang in the premises and what sounded like a score of angry people.

As soon as they realised what had been happening, he says that

“firefighters were forced to vacate the premises and remained in the drill yard until Metro Police and law enforcement dispersed the protesters. The front of the station sustained severe damage”.

No information has been released about what the situation is as of this moment. It appears that the police are at a stand-off with the residents of the township.

There have not been any details available on why the residents are protesting nor has it been linked to the burning of the libraries in Zwelihle, Hermanus, earlier this week.